Under-20 Intercontinental Cup 2022, Peñarol 0-1 Benfica

The fixture pitted the youth champions of Europe against their South American counterparts, in a showdown agreed after UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding on 15 December 2021.

Who played in the 2022 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup?

Uruguay's Peñarol, who triumphed in the 2022 Copa Libertadores U20, lost 1-0 to 2021/22 UEFA Youth League-winning Benfica from Portugal at the famous Estádio Centenario in Montevideo in front of 40,579 fans.

The sides' senior teams met in 1961 in the second edition of the now defunct European/South American Cup, the fixture that brought together the winners of Europe and South America's top club competitions. Benfica won 1-0 in Lisbon in the first fixture at the Estadio da Luz on 4 September, but lost the reverse fixture 5-0 at the Estadio Centenario on 17 September.

Since points gained rather than aggregate score was the key to winning the competition, the sides met again at the Estadio Centenario two days later, Peñarol winning 2-1 to take the trophy.

How did each team get there?

Benfica beat Salzburg 6-0 in April in Nyon to win the UEFA Youth League for the first time, having previously been runners-up three times in the first seven editions. Two months earlier, Peñarol claimed their maiden Copa Libertadores U20 title, defeating Independiente del Valle 4-3 on penalties in Quito after a 1-1 draw.

When was the U20 Intercontinental Cup played?

The game was on Sunday 21 August 2022. It kicked off at 21:30 CEST (16:30 local time, 20:30 in Lisbon).

Where was the U20 Intercontinental Cup played? 

The match was at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. Built to stage matches at the 1930 FIFA World Cup, the stadium's name honours the centenary of the first constitution of Uruguay. The 60,000-capacity venue is the home of the Uruguayan national team and also served as Peñarol's home stadium from 1933 until 2016, when they moved top the Estadio Campeón del Siglo.

Who were the U20 Intercontinental Cup referee? 

Derlis López of Paraguay was the referee, assisted by compatriots Roberto Cañete and José Villagra. José Méndez of Argentina was fourth official. Two more Argentinians were in charge of VAR, with Germán Delfino assisted by Maximiliano del Yesso.

How does the U20 Intercontinental Cup work?

The U20 Intercontinental Cup is a one-off fixture played over 90 minutes. There is no extra time, so if the tie is level at the end of regulation time then it goes straight to penalties. The referees for this edition will be appointed by CONMEBOL.

Up to a maximum of five of the 11 substitutes listed on each team's match sheet may take part in the match. Each team must register at least two goalkeepers.

Each team may use a maximum of three stoppages in play to make its substitutions. Substitutions made during half-time do not reduce the number of stoppages in play that can be used.

A player who has been substituted may take no further part in the match.

The FIFA disciplinary code applies to incidents occurring during the match. However, yellow and red cards are cancelled at the end of the match and are not carried forward to any other UEFA, CONMEBOL or FIFA competition.

Why has the U20 Intercontinental Cup been introduced?

The match is part of the expansion of the cooperation between UEFA and CONMEBOL, which notably includes women's football, futsal and youth categories, the exchange of referees, technical training schemes and the Finalissima game, which pits the winners of the UEFA European Championship against the Copa América holders. Argentina beat Italy 3-0 in the first edition of that competition in 2022.

The U20 Intercontinental Cup has been inspired by the European/South American Cup, which was played between the winners of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and the European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League between 1960 and 2004. The last final was won by Portuguese side Porto on penalties against Once Caldas of Colombia.

Have the European youth champions and Copa Libertadores Sub-20 winners met before in an official showdown?

This is the first time the youth champions from the two contests had met in a formal, scheduled fixture.